Worst to First? The Buccaneers Believe ItForget about rebuilding or taking it slow. Tampa Bay's new general manager Jason Licht says his team is ready to win now. Can coach Lovie Smith, QB Josh McCown and company really compete for an NFC South division title in 2014?SI.comGreg A. BedardJune 14 2014First-year general managers generally say the same things. They express optimism that the losing franchise they took over can rebound. In the next breath, they acknowledge the reality that the team doesn’t quite measure up yet. Jason Licht, the first-time GM of the Buccaneers, doesn’t have that air about him. He’s a realist. The 43-year-old has been around the NFL block, working the past 18 years in the scouting and personnel departments of the Panthers, Patriots (twice), Eagles and Cardinals. Licht knows talent, and he sees it in the Buccaneers. “I think we’re going to compete,” Licht says, walking off the field after the team’s final practice before summer break. “No, I know we’re going to compete, for the division this year.” In many ways, that isn’t an outlandish statement. The NFC South, where Tampa Bay resides, hasn’t been overly dominating. Going into next season, the Saints (11-5 last season) appear to have the strongest team, and the Panthers (12-4) aren’t far behind though they were hit hard by departures. The Falcons (4-12 a year after being in the NFC Championship Game) hope to prove that last season was an aberration. But really, why can’t the Buccaneers, coming off a 4-12 campaign that resulted in the firing of coach Greg Schiano and general manager Mark Dominik, compete for the division title this season? Take one look at the Bucs’ defensive depth chart, and remember that former Bears coach Lovie Smith is running things after a year off, and a competitive Tampa Bay team is very much in the realm of possibility. “Absolutely, I sleep comfortable at night,” Licht said. “I know this is going to be a very solid defense. Not just from the players we have, but who we have coaching it. I couldn’t be more impressed with the staff that we have and the players, and adding (former Titans cornerback) Alterraun Verner to the mix. We have a lot of talent.” If there’s anything that keeps Licht awake at night, it’s the offensive line. He’s very confident in left tackle Anthony Collins (free agent from the Bengals), center Evan Dietrich-Smith (Packers) and right tackle Demar Dotson. It’s the two guard spots that need tending. Left guard Carl Nicks, a former All-Pro with the Saints, played just two games last season because of a toe injury and a recurring MRSA infection. He’s not expected back until training camp. At right guard, there will be several players competing for time. “We have three offensive linemen that I think could play for any team, both tackles and the center are players that I love,” Licht said. “It needs to jell inside at guard. It’s going to be a competition in there (at right guard). And not knowing if Carl is going to be healthy and what his status is, we have to prepare for all scenarios.” The Buccaneers are also a bit short of proven weapons to catch the ball from quarterback Josh McCown. Outside of Vincent Jackson and tight end Tim Wright, the Bucs are largely unproven. They’ll need top draft picks Mike Evans (receiver) and Austin Sefarian-Jenkins (tight end) to get up to speed quickly at positions where rookies notoriously struggle. The Bucs are hoping offensive coordinator Jeff Tedford will be able to acclimate the rookies quickly after his long stint as Cal’s head coach. “You can see that happening on the field,” Licht said of Tedford’s ability to relate to the young players. “I’ve been very impressed with his attention to detail but also his creativity and how to get the right fits out there and the matchups out there. He’s just real creative. He reminds me of (former Patriots offensive coordinator and current Texans coach) Bill O’Brien, kind of his approach and his attention to detail and he’s just a football guy through and through. I know why Lovie hired him. Lovie spent a whole year going through various scenarios who he was going to hire at each position. (Tedford’s) got no agenda, he’s just a football guy and very creative and very smart.” While the Bucs spent a lot of money on free agents like Verner, Collins and end Michael Johnson, they feel the most impact will come from adding McCown at quarterback. He is providing the type of team-wide leadership that the Bucs have missed since, arguably, Derrick Brooks retired after the ’08 season. Licht didn’t know McCown well, but after he was hired, Smith basically mandated that team sign the 34-year-old journeyman. “Lovie talked about it since day one when I was hired about Josh and how Josh was the type of person we needed in this locker room and on this team for the very reasons you’re talking about,” Licht said. “Of course I believe what Lovie said and trust him, but to see it firsthand within the first days that we actually signed him … the guy is just special. He lives, breathes and eats football. Somehow, he just has a way to capture the entire team. They all love this guy. He’s really one of the most special leaders I think I’ve ever been around.” That’s high praise coming from Licht, who was around Tom Brady in New England for years. “And I say it meaning it too,” Licht said. Licht also believes that the Bucs’ turnaround will be immediate, and not gradual. “Honestly, I feel really good,” said Licht, who raved about his relationship with Smith. “I feel a lot better than I anticipated feeling when I first took the job. If I had a crystal ball and ask what’s this going to look like in June, am I going to be stressed out all summer? It’s so much better than I ever anticipated. I hate to sound cliché but we felt like we addressed most of the needs. There’s more work to be done, no question. But, yeah, I feel really good about where we are.”
